Another Revolt In Lebanon

March 20, 1985

If the Lebanese are ever asked to identify the part of the Bible that fits them best, it will be understandable if they select the Book of Job.

Lebanon has for more than a decade been ruthlessly tested by war and political strife. This time the threat to President Amin Gemayel`s fragile government comes from within his own Christian community, a complex group that has managed to observe a period of relative stability amid all the Moslem sectarian squabbles.

It began in typical Levant fashion--a dispute over money and the right of warlords to obtain it. Syria had asked the Gemayel government to close down a toll-collecting checkpoint on the coastal highway south of Tripoli controlled by a pro-Israeli Christian militia chieftan, Samir Geagea. Not about to relinquish a lucrative method to fund his army, Mr. Geagea refused. He was then expelled from the Christian Phalange political party, which since its inception has been under the control of the Gemayel family.

Mr. Geagea`s expulsion spread into a revolt that has led to his seizure of strongpoints held by militiamen loyal to President Gemayel. Eight Christian militia commanders, including President Gemayel`s nephew, formed a collective leadership in opposition to Mr. Gemayel`s Syrian-oriented Phalange. Syria warned that Damascus would not tolerate mutiny against the coalition government and backed its threat by tightening its circle of troops around Tripoli. Mr. Geagea said he does not intend to overthrow Mr. Gemayel, but wants renewed negotiations on Moslem-Christian coexistence and an end to Mr. Gemayel`s tilt toward Syria.

The revolt threatens Mr. Gemayel`s authority in the Christian community and undercut his position as the key Christian in Syrian-sponsored

negotiations with Lebanon`s Moslem leaders. It adds further confusion to the politically besieged capital, from which some American diplomats have been evacuated to escape the danger of abduction or death at the hands of Moslem fanatics.

And it proves once again that the violence smashing Lebanon can be as complex as centuries-old family and religious feuds or as simple as whose armed thugs will collect a toll from travelers on the oldest highways in civilization.